Engine starter controlling mechanism



' Nov. 28, 1933.- F. T. CHRISTIAN 1,936,619

ENGINE STARTER CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Feb. 27, 1932 r II w a 631 E v 5 E I v INVENTOR I BY ran/Q Of Chaos/flan Patented Nov. 28, 1933 UNITED STATES ENGINE STARTER CONTROLLING MECHANISM Frank T.' Christian, Elmira, N. Y., assignor to Eclipse Machine Company, Elmira, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 2'7, 1932. Serial No. 595,627

12 Claims. (Cl. 290-28) The present invention relates. to engine starter controlling mechanism and more particularly to a device for controlling the actuation of the starting mechanism ot a motor vehicle while the vehicle is in gear.

It has beenfounddesirable especially in connection with automatic starting mechanism as used on motor vehicles that some means be provided to prevent actuation of the starting mechanism when the motor vehicle transmission is engaged whereby cranking of the engine would move the car. Obviously, however, if the automatic operation of the starting mechanism is to be preserved, this prevention of the actuation of the starting mechanism must not be effective after the engine has once been started and the motor vehicle placed in operation.

It is an object of the present invention therefore to provide a novel device for preventing initial actuation of the starting mechanism for a motor vehicle power plant while the vehicle is in gear.

It is'another object to produce such a device which provides for the restarting of a stalled engine irrespective of the position of the transmission gears.

It is another object to provide sucha device which is operable in conjunction with a commercial form of automatic starting mechanism of the type wherein closure of a control switch such as the ignition switch of the engine causes the actuation of the starting mechanism.

It is a further object to provide such a device which is simple and economical in construction and reliable and eflicient in operation.

Further objects, and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description taken in connection with the accom-Q panying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a semi-diagrammatic illustration of one preferred form of my invention, showing the parts in their normal or inoperative positions; and A Fig.2 is a similar view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring first to Fig. -1 of the drawing, there is illustrated an electrical starting system for an internal combustion engine, not shown, including a battery 1, grounded at 2, and connected by a lead 3, to an automatic starting mechanism indicated generally at 4. The automatic starting mechanism comprises a magnetically operated starting switch 5 which when closed connects the. battery lead 3 to a lead 6 connected to the starting motor SM which is grounded at 7 to complete the starting circuit.

The starting switch 5 is arranged to be closed by a solenoid 8 which is energized by a control circuit from the battery 1. This control circuit includes a manual control switch 9, which may as indicated be the ignition switch forthe internal combustion engine, leads 11, 12, 13 and 14, contacts 15, and spring strip 16, which is grounded at 17 to complete the control circuit. 6

According to the present invention, means are provided for automatically openingsaid control circuitif the motor vehicle transmission mechanism is in gear when the engine is not running. As here illustrated, this means comprises a switch indicated generally at 18 and placed in the control circuit in series with the switch 9, and connections therefor to the transmission mechanism .cated at 25. A spring 26 is arranged'to maintain the member 19 in engagement with the shift rods 23 and 24, and a lever 30 journaled at 2'7 is slidably and pivotally connected to the member 19 and to a switch operating arm 28"as indicated at 29 and 31 respectively. The arm 28 carries an insulated switch member 32 arranged to bridge the switch contacts 33 and 34 and normally maintained in this position by means of a spring 35. It will be noted that the arrangement of the member 19 and its connection with the lever 30 is such that shifting of either rod 23 or 24 in either direction will cause the member 19 to swing the lever 30 whereby the switch element 32 will be moved out of engagement with one or the other of the contacts 33 or 34 thus breaking the control circuit.

Means are'also provided according to the present invention to maintain the control circuit 100 closed during the operation of the engine irrespective of the condition of the transmission .,mechanism, in order that automatic restarting of the engine may be secured during the operation of the motor vehicle. For this purpose a switch indicated generally at 36 is shunted around the transmission controlled switch 18, and means are provided for closing said switch responsive to self-actuation of the engine. Ass here illustrated, the switch 36 comprises a fixed contact 37 connected by a lead 38 to the lead 11 of the control circuit, and a movable contact 39 mounted on a pivoted lever 41 and normally maintained out of engagement with contact 37 by suitable means such as a spring 42. Contact 39 is arranged to be moved into engagement with contact 37 by means of an actuating element 43 mounted on a slidable rod 44 in position to engage a projection 45 on the end of the switch element 41.

Rod 44 is actuated to cause closure of switch 36 in response to self-operation of the engine. In the structure here illustrated this function is performed by the vacuum in the intake system of the engine by suitable means comprising a piston 45 mounted on the end of said rod 44 within a cylinder 47 which is connected as indicated to the intake manifold of the engine. These parts are so arranged that vacuum in said manifold moves the piston 46 down, causing the member 43 to close said switch. Piston 46 is normally maintained in its upper position by suitable means such as a spring 48.

The upper end of cylinder 47 is closed by means of a cover plate 49 provided centrally thereof with a guide bearing 51 for the rod44 and having an adjustable bleeder opening 52 for case ofengine stall even though the motor ve-' hicle were in gear.

In the operation of the structure as above described and starting with the'parts in the positions illustrated, closure of the ignition switch while the gears are in neutral will cause the completion of the control circuit whereby automatic actuation of the starting mechanism takes place in the usual manner. If, however, the transmission should be in gear, whereby one or the other of the rods 23 or 24 is moved longitudinally, the switch 18 will be open, and since the switch 36 is also open, closure of the manual switch 9 will not effect the operation of the starting mechanism.

Initial self-operation of the engine causes vacuum in the intake manifold which acts on the piston 46 to close the switch 36, thus bridging the transmission control switch 18. Thereafter, while the engine is running, operation of the transmission mechanism of the motor vehicle will not open the control circuit so that-if theengine should subsequently stall, automatic restarting thereof will take place.

As above pointed out, the adjustable bleeder 52 is so set as to allow ample time for this automatic restarting to take place before the switch 36 is allowed to open. However, when the control switch 9 is opened to stop'the engine, the switch 36 is opened by the spring 48 after the expiration the same as in Fig. 1 and are similarly numbered.

In this embodiment, however, a transmission control switch 53 is provided which isoperated in a somewhat different manner from the switch 18 in Fig. 1. As here illustrated, the switch 53' comprises a pair of contacts 54'and' 5 5,*and a merry ber 56 adapted to bridge the contacts and mounted on a rod 5'7 actuated directly by the gear shift lever 58 by means of a universal connection 59. It will be readily appreciated that shifting of the gear shift lever 58 in either direction from its neutral position as here illustrated will move the bridging member 56 out'of engagement with the contacts 54 and 55 whereby the control circuit will be broken.

In this embodiment of the invention, means are provided which are energized from the control circuit to maintain said circuit closed after initial energization thereof, as long as the manual switch 9 is maintained closed. As here shown, this means comprises a switch 61 having a movable contact 62 connected by a lead 63 to the lead 13 of the control circuit and mounted on a movable switch member 64 in position to engage a fixed contact 65 which is connected by a lead 66 to the lead 11 of the control circuit. Switch member 64 is pivoted at 67 and is normally maintained as shown with contacts 62 out of engagement with contact 65 by suitable means such as a spring 68. Means energized from the control circuit for closing said contacts is provided in the form of an electro-magnet 69 connected by a lead 71 to the lead 38 of the control circuit and grounded at '72 whereby when the control circuit is completed, the magnet 69 is energized to close the contacts 62, 65 and maintain them closed as long as the manual switch 9 is left closed.

In the operation "of this embodiment of the invention, closure of the control switch 9 when the gear shift lever '58 is in its neutral position neutral position, however, 'will thereupon cause closure of switch 53, which completes the control circuit which causes the actuation of the starting mechanism. Coil 69 is simultaneously energized to close the switch 61 and thereby bridge the transmission control switch 53. Subsequent actuation of the gear shift lever 58 will therefore not open the control circuit, but the latter is maintained closed as long as the control switch 9 is left closed.

Should the engine stall under these circum-- stances, recranking will vtake place in the usual manner even though the motor vehicle is in gear. Opening the control switch 9, however, deenergizes the coil 69 whereby switch 61 is opened by the spring 68 and subsequent closure of the control switch 9 will not actuate the starting mechanism unless the' transmission mechanism is in neutral so that the switch 53 is closed.

Although certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be understood that other embodiments are pos- 'sible and that various changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is: y

1. In combination with an internal combustion enginev and a power transmission mechanism therefor, starting mechanism for said engine, means for preventing the initial operation of the starting mechanism when the engine is connected to a load by said transmission mechanism,

and means whereby after initial actuation of the starting mechanism said starting mechanism may be. reactuated irrespective of the condition of the transmission mechanism.

2. In combination with an internal combustion engine and a power transmission mechanism therefor, startingmechanism for said engine, means responsive to engagement of the power transmission mechanism for preventing the operation of the starting mechanism, and means for rendering said preventing means ineffective for a predetermined time after the engine has stopped.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, and means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism in case of engine stall irrespective of the operative condition of the transmission mechanism.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch and means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition and means responsive to self-actuation of the engine for rendering said preventing means inoperative.

5. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system, an ignition system including an ignition switch, power transmission mechanism and a starting mechanism forsaid engine, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the ignition switch, means for preventing such energization when the-power transmission mechanism is in operative condition and means responsive to vacuum in the intake system of the engine for rendering said preventing means inoperative. 4 I

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a fuel intake system, an ignition system including an ignition switch, power transmission mechanism and a starting mechanism for said engine, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the ignition switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, means responsive to vacuum in the intake system of the engine for rendering said preventing means inoperative and means for delaying the reestablishment of the preventing means until a predetermined time after the dissipation of such intake vacuum.

7. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energzing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transm ssion mechanism and a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch for closing the control circuit responsive to self-actuation of the engine.

8. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmission mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch contro led by the intake vacuum of the engine for closing the control circuit responsive to self-actuation of the engine, and means for delaying the opening of said shunt switch for a predetermined time after the dissipation of said intake vacuum.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition and means responsive to adjustment of the trans= mission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means ineffective.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, means responsive to. adjustment of the transmission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means inefiective, said means thereupon retaining said preventing means ineffective irrespective of the adjustment of the transmission mechanism.

'11. Incombinationwith an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmission mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and means for closing said shunt switch in response to closure of the control circuit.

12. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speedpower transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automat cally energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmisson mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and an electro-magnetic coil energized from said control circuit for closing said shunt switch and holding it closed unt l the control circuit is broken by opening the manual switch. FRANK T. CHRISTIAN.

DISCLAIMER 1',936,619.Fmnk T. Christian, Elmira, N. Y. ENGINE STARTER CONTROLLING MECHANISM. Patent dated November 28, 1933. Disclaimer filed August 10,

1935, by the assignee, Eclipse Machine Company. Hereby enters this disclaimer to the following claims thereof, to wit:

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine and a power transmission mechanism therefor, starting mechanism for said engine, means for preventing the initial operation of the starting mechanism when the engine is connected to a load by said transmission mechanism, and means whereby after initial actuation of the starting mechanism said starting mechanism may be reactuated irrespective of the condition of the transmission mechanism? 53. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventingsuch energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, and means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism in case of engine stall irrespective of the operative condition of the transmission mechanism.

9. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission 'mechanism,' a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition and means responsive to adjustment of the transmission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means ineffective.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a power transmission mechanism, a starting mechanism and an electrical system including a control switch, means for automatically energizing the starting mechanism upon closure of the control switch, means for preventing such energization when the power transmission mechanism is in operative condition, means responsive to adjustment of the transmission mechanism into inoperative position while the control switch is closed for rendering said preventing means ineffective, said means thereupon retaining said preventing means ineiiective irrespective of the adjustment of the transmission mechanism.

11. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual switch for opening and closing said control circuit, a switch in series with said manual switch for opening said circuit responsive to engagement of the transmission mechanism, a switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and means for closing said shunt switch in response to closure of the control circuit. a

' 12. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a variable speed power transmission mechanism and an electrical starting system, means including a control circuit for automatically energizing said starting mechanism, a manual swltch for opening and closing said control circuit, aswitch in series with said manual switch for opening sald circuit responslve to engagement of the transmission mechan sm, a

switch in shunt with said transmission controlled switch, and an electro-magnetic coil energized from said control circuit for'closing said shunt switch and holding it closed until the control circuit is broken by opening the manual switch.

[Oflicial Gazette September 3, 1935.] 

